Hemoperitoneum and Peritonitis
when would you close an open abdominal drainage post-op?
3-5 days post-op
t/f: patients with hemoabdomen can sometimes be stabilized without the need for surgery
true
t/f: secondary generalized peritonitis requires surgery to fix
true
what diagnostic test would be used to distinguish between peritonitis and hemoperitoneum?
abdominocentesis
what type of bacteria is more common in secondary generalized peritonitis?
gram-negative bacteria usually multiple types of bacteria
what type of bacteria is more common in primary generalized peritonitis?
gram-positive bacteria usually one type of bacteria
what is secondary generalized peritonitis?
inflammation of the peritoneum in conjunction with intraabdominal bacterial leakage
what is primary generalized peritonitis?
inflammation of the peritoneum with no intra-abdominal reason for bacteria leakage
what surgical techniques can be used to diagnose/resolve peritonitis?
- abdominocentesis - diagnostic peritoneal lavage - exploratory - abdominal drainage
what are the goal for treating peritonitis?
- determine cause of infection - resolve infection - restore fluid and electrolytes
what are the clinical signs of hemoperitoneum?
- discoloration of abdomen - abdominal distension - abdominal tenderness - bulging umbilicus
what are the presenting complaints for peritonitis?
- lethargy - anorexia - vomiting and diarrhea - abdominal pain
what is AFAST exam?
Abdominal Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
what drugs should be avoided with hemoabdomen surgeries?
barbiturates and acetylpromazine
t/f: primary generalized peritonitis requires surgery to fix
false
what substance is the most appropriate for peritoneal lavage?
isotonic saline
how might peritonitis appear on a radiograph?
lost abdominal detail "ground glass" appearance
how would peritoneum appear on a radiograph?
lost abdominal detail "ground glass" appearance
what is the number one cause of hemoperitoneum in dogs and cats?
neoplasia
what should be done if you are unable to obtain fluid with an abdominocentesis?
perform a diagnostic peritoneal lavage
what are the primary diagnostic methods used to diagnose hemoperitoneum and peritonitis?
radiographs and ultrasounds
what is hemoperitoneum?
the abnormal accumulation of blood in the abdomen
why should acetylpromazine be avoided in patients with hemoabdomen?
they cause red blood cell sequestration
why should barbiturates be avoided in patients with hemoabdomen?
they cause splenic congestion
